The New Forest and Waterside Blog has been created to tell the world about what is happening within the boundaries of the New Forest National Park Hampshire UK and surrounding areas. It is local and will bring you regular news about people, events, attractions, leisure, business etc. There are also many links to Attractions, Places to Visit, Accommodation including BandB, Hotels, Holiday Cottages and Campsites. Enjoy!

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Thursday, 23 September 2010

Cyclists young and old are gearing up for a festival with a difference in the New Forest National Park.

As well as three popular on and off road events on 2 and 3 October - part of the nationwide Wiggle Super Series – the two-day cycle festival will appeal to beginners and experienced riders of all ages.

The festival will include children’s competitions, live music, bike safety checks, face painting, fun cycling skills sessions, food and stalls at Brockenhurst College and is open to everyone.

Participants can choose from a mountain bike/cyclocross event, a hill climb event, and the main road sportive event, with three different levels of difficulty:

Saturday 2 October
Mountain bike/cyclocross riders will be able to choose from a 44-mile route, a 25-miler or a family fun 10-mile option.

The hill climb event on Saturday afternoon could be the perfect warm down for those in action earlier in the day – or a warm up for the road sportive riders. Prizes will be awarded to the top 10 riders in two categories (road and ‘knobbly tyred’) as they climb the 1km course near Brockenhurst. The event is being run in partnership with New Forest Cycling Club.

Sunday 3 October
The road sportive remains the main event. Three routes are on offer: the Epic 100-mile route, the Standard 66-miler or the 44-mile option. The course takes in some challenging but short hills such as the 25 per cent Blissford Hill.

Chris Gregory, Transport and Tourism Officer at the New Forest National Park, said: ‘We are pleased to be supporting the first New Forest Cycle Festival – a weekend of fun and excitement with superb cycling in the heart of the New Forest. There are opportunities to explore the best of the off-road gravel track network and to challenge yourself in the Wiggle Super Series road sportive. Back at the College there’s a chance to celebrate cycling and to have fun while encouraging people to cycle safely.’